Connect with us

Sports

Tom Kitten honing in for 2026 Kevin Heffernan Stakes return

Published

on

The stable of Anthony and Sam Freedman seeks a steadier autumn run for Tom Kitten than the spring’s disruptions.

Spring saw Tom Kitten in perpetual recovery mode following a gate scratch during the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in August.

Tom Kitten joined the Freedman father-and-son operation for his first time after James Cummings left Godolphin.

The new season will see Cummings launch his training in Hong Kong.

Advertisement

According to Sam Freedman, the gelding’s prior prep flowed smoothly to the intended opener, with the co-trainer stating the ongoing one is even stronger.

Comeback awaits Tom Kitten at Caulfield Saturday in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m).

Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) shifted to mid-November, allowing the Kevin Heffernan Stakes to take its place.

Tom Kitten prepared via two jump-outs for the return, Craig Williams taking over the mount as Ben Melham sits out a ban.

Advertisement

January 28 at Balnarring brought a fourth-placed finish over 1000m in his most recent gallop.

“He’s been excellent,” Freedman said.

“His trial last week was sharp, and he’s come back better than when he started his prep last time.

“Plus, there’s no Via Sistina to worry about this time.”

Advertisement

The Freedmans envision an autumn targeting Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) Caulfield on February 21, Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) Flemington March 7, and potentially Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) Flemington March 28.

Visit the leading racing betting markets to find value in the Kevin Heffernan Stakes.

“It will be nice to get a run into him before the Futurity and then he can go to the All-Star Mile and on to the Australian Cup,” Freedman said.

“He’s got a good fresh record and he’s ticking over well.”

Advertisement

The post Tom Kitten purring ahead of return first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Triple H’s replacement chosen by WWE veteran to lead the company “into the future”

Published

on

WWE CCO Triple H is leading the creative side of the business. Often, thanks to Unreal, HHH is seated at the table with writers, pitching ideas. The concern is who he passes the baton to in his absence. Now, it seems the former WWE head writer has a clear vision: Robert Roode.

In a post on X, Vince Russo has sung Roode’s praises. He states that the former US Champion is the only guy who stands out in management. The retired Canadian wrestler currently works for WWE as a match producer. Robert,, better known as ‘Bobby’ is a real and pure professional who carries himself perfectly. If it were for Russo being the decision-maker, Roode would lead WWE into the future.

The veteran took a moment to humble the former NXT Champion, too. Russo cites him as certainly not the Greatest Worker in the History of the Business. However, neither is he a gimmick nor an ego-maniac and surely not a ‘Walrus’. Roode is the GUY.

Advertisement

Why Did WWE Waste This Year’s Royal Rumble? Find Out!

The 49-year-old was still pretty much active till mid-2022. However, later that year, Roode underwent neck surgery. In May 2023, he underwent another. In the next few months, he took on the role of a match producer and retired from wrestling.

Robert Roode’s resume in WWE

The first title Roode won was the NXT Championship. Known exceptionally for his workhorse nature and technical abilities in TNA, the Stamford-based promotion trusted him. Within a year of his debut, he defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to win the NXT title in 2017. Later on the main roster, he won the US Championship in 2018 in a tournament.

Later that year, the Glorious star captured the RAW Tag Team Championships with Chad Gable. Roode and Gable defeated Authors of Pain. Next year, he teamed up with Dolph Ziggler, Dirty Dawgs. They defeated Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman for the same titles. In 2021, his last reign as a ‘Dirty Dawg’ came as he held the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.

Advertisement